U.S. patent application number 16/637559 was filed with the patent office on 2020-12-31 for handling of application layer measurements during handover in wireless communication networks.
The applicant listed for this patent is TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL). Invention is credited to Mattias BERGSTROM, Cecilia EKLOF, Waikwok KWONG, Walter MULLER, Nianshan SHI.
Application Number | 20200413301 16/637559 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005087755 |
Filed Date | 2020-12-31 |
United States Patent
Application |
20200413301 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
SHI; Nianshan ; et
al. |
December 31, 2020 |
HANDLING OF APPLICATION LAYER MEASUREMENTS DURING HANDOVER IN
WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
Abstract
Methods and related wireless device and radio network node,
which enable the handling of Quality of Experience, QoE,
measurements during handover, are described. In some aspects, the
wireless device may determine whether to report QoE measurements
and whether to start new QoE measurements, in a cell served by a
target radio network node, based, at least in part, on the presence
or absence of QoE-measurement related indications in the handover
command message received from the target radio network node.
Inventors: |
SHI; Nianshan; (JARFALLA,
SE) ; EKLOF; Cecilia; (TABY, SE) ; MULLER;
Walter; (UPPLANDS VASBY, SE) ; BERGSTROM;
Mattias; (SOLLENTUNA, SE) ; KWONG; Waikwok;
(SOLNA, SE) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL) |
Stockholm |
|
SE |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000005087755 |
Appl. No.: |
16/637559 |
Filed: |
August 10, 2018 |
PCT Filed: |
August 10, 2018 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/IB2018/056066 |
371 Date: |
February 7, 2020 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62544528 |
Aug 11, 2017 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04W 36/00837 20180801;
H04W 36/0058 20180801; H04W 36/08 20130101; H04W 36/0044 20130101;
H04L 5/0055 20130101 |
International
Class: |
H04W 36/00 20060101
H04W036/00; H04W 36/08 20060101 H04W036/08; H04L 5/00 20060101
H04L005/00 |
Claims
1. (canceled)
2. (canceled)
3. (canceled)
4. (canceled)
5. (canceled)
6. (canceled)
7. (canceled)
8. (canceled)
9. (canceled)
10. (canceled)
11. A wireless device adapted to: perform Quality of Experience,
QoE, measurements in a cell served by a source radio network node;
receive a handover command message from a target radio network node
via a source radio network node, the handover command message
indicating to the wireless device to handover to the target radio
network node; determine whether to report the QoE measurements to
the target radio network node based, at least in part, on a
presence or absence of a QoE measurement reporting support
indication in the handover command message.
12. The wireless device of claim 11, wherein determining whether to
report the QoE measurements further comprises determining to
refrain from reporting the QoE measurements if the QoE measurement
reporting support indication is absent from the handover command
message.
13. The wireless device of claim 11, wherein determining whether to
report the QoE measurements further comprises determining to
refrain from reporting the QoE measurements if the QoE measurement
reporting support indication is present in the handover command
message and indicates that QoE measurement reporting is not
supported.
14. The wireless device of claim 11, wherein determining whether to
report the QoE measurements further comprises determining to report
the QoE measurements if the QoE measurement reporting support
indication is present in the handover command message and indicates
that QoE measurement reporting is supported.
15. The wireless device of claim 14, further adapted to send a QoE
measurement report comprising the QoE measurements to the target
radio network node.
16. The wireless device of claim 14, further adapted to determine
whether to start new QoE measurements in a cell served by the
target radio network node based, at least in part, on a presence or
absence of a QoE measurement area indication in the handover
command message.
17. The wireless device of claim 16, wherein determining whether to
start new QoE measurements further comprises determining not to
start QoE measurements if the QoE measurement area indication is
absent from the handover command message.
18. The wireless device of claim 16, wherein determining whether to
start new QoE measurements further comprises determining not to
start QoE measurements if the QoE measurement area indication is
present in the handover command message and indicates that the cell
served by the target radio network node is not in a measurement
area associated with the new QoE measurements.
19. The wireless device of claim 16, wherein determining whether to
start new QoE measurements further comprises determining to start
QoE measurements if the QoE measurement area indication is present
in the handover command message and indicates that the cell served
by the target radio network node is in a measurement area
associated with the new QoE measurements.
20. The wireless device of claim 11, further adapted to transmit a
handover confirmation message to the target radio network node.
21. (canceled)
22. (canceled)
23. (canceled)
24. (canceled)
25. (canceled)
26. (canceled)
27. A source radio network node adapted to: determine to perform a
handover of a wireless device from the source radio network node to
a target radio network node; transmit a handover request message to
the target radio network node, the handover request message
comprising an indication that the wireless device has been
configured for Quality of Experience, QoE, measurements; receive a
handover request acknowledgement message from the target radio
network node, the handover request acknowledgement message
comprising a handover command message; forward the handover command
message to the wireless device.
28. The source radio network node of claim 27, wherein the handover
request message further comprises QoE measurement configuration
parameters.
29. The source radio network node of claim 28, wherein the QoE
measurement configuration parameters comprise a list of one or more
cells comprised in a QoE measurement area associated with the QoE
measurements.
30. The source radio network node of claim 27, wherein the handover
command message comprises a QoE measurement reporting support
indication indicating whether the target radio network node
supports QoE measurement reporting.
31. The source radio network node of claim 30, wherein the handover
command message further comprises a QoE measurement area indication
indicating whether a cell served by the target radio network node
is comprised in a measurement area associated with the QoE
measurements.
32. (canceled)
33. (canceled)
34. (canceled)
35. (canceled)
36. (canceled)
37. (canceled)
38. (canceled)
39. A target radio network node adapted to: receive a handover
request message from a source radio network node to handover a
wireless device from the source radio network node to the target
radio network node, the handover request message comprising an
indication that the wireless device has been configured for Quality
of Experience, QoE, measurements; transmit a handover request
acknowledgement message to the source radio network node, the
handover request acknowledgement message comprising a handover
command message.
40. The target radio network node of claim 39, wherein the handover
request message further comprises QoE measurement configuration
parameters.
41. The target radio network node of claim 40, wherein the QoE
measurement configuration parameters comprise a list of one or more
cells comprised in a QoE measurement area associated with the QoE
measurements.
42. The target radio network node of claim 39, wherein the handover
command message comprises a QoE measurement reporting support
indication indicating whether the target radio network node
supports QoE measurement reporting.
43. The target radio network node of claim 42, wherein the handover
command message further comprises a QoE measurement area indication
indicating whether a cell served by the target radio network node
is comprised in a measurement area associated with the QoE
measurements.
44. The target radio network node of claim 39, further adapted to
receive a handover confirmation message from the wireless
device.
45. (canceled)
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application claims the benefits of priority of
U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/544,528, entitled
"HANDLING OF APPLICATION LAYER MEASUREMENTS DURING HANDOVER IN
WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS", and filed at the United States
Patent and Trademark Office on Aug. 11, 2017, the content of which
is incorporated herein by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present description generally relates to wireless
communications and wireless communication networks, and more
particularly relates to the handling of application layer
measurements during handover in wireless communication
networks.
BACKGROUND
[0003] For release 15, 3GPP has approved a work item for "Quality
of Experience (QoE) Measurement Collection" in LTE. Similar
features may later also be applicable in NR. The purpose of the
work item is to start measurements in the user equipment (UE) to
collect information about the quality of streaming services used in
the UE. The streaming service is typically a third party streaming
application on top of a packet-switched interactive radio access
bearer (PS Interactive RAB) defined in the radio access network
(RAN). The purpose of the measurement collection is to be able to
improve the quality of the streaming service.
[0004] The measurements may be initiated towards the RAN directly
from an operation and management (O&M) node in a generic way
for a group of user equipments (UEs). The measurements may also be
initiated towards the RAN by receiving a "trace request" from the
core network. The configuration of the measurement includes the
measurement details, which are encapsulated in a container that is
transparent to the RAN.
[0005] When initiated via the CN, the measurement is directed
towards a specific UE. The "trace request" referred to above is
realized as a S1AP message LTE which carries the configuration
information for the measurement details and the trace collection
entity to which the collected measurements should be sent.
[0006] The RAN is not aware of when the streaming session is
ongoing in the UE and is also not aware of when the measurements
are ongoing. It is important for the client analyzing the
measurements that the whole session is measured. It is an
implementation decision when the RAN stops the measurements.
Typically, it is done when the UE has moved outside the measurement
area.
[0007] It is considered beneficial that, if there is a
packet-switched streaming session, the UE would keep the QoE
measurement for the whole session, even during handover
situation(s). It has been concluded during a 3GPP study that
fragmented QoE measurement reports are of little use.
[0008] At handover, the RRC message which is sent to the UE (i.e.,
the HandoverCommand) is built in the target RAN node but sent to
the UE by the source RAN node. It is transferred between the RAN
nodes by means of network signaling on the X2 or S1 interfaces.
SUMMARY
[0009] During handover (e.g., X2 or S1), the wireless device will
be handed over from a source radio network node to a new target
radio network node (e.g. a new eNB). If the source radio network
node (before the handover) has started, that is configured QoE
measurements in the wireless device, but the target radio network
node (after the handover) does not support QoE measurement
reporting, or may not wish to receive the QoE measurement report,
how such a scenario is handled is currently not specified. QoE
measurement reports may be quite large and sending QoE measurement
reports to radio network nodes which do not support the feature
should be avoided as resources would then be consumed for nothing
as the radio network node would anyhow not be able to interpret
what it has received.
[0010] Fragmented QoE measurement reports are also of little use to
the QoE node and there is currently no good way to ensure that the
reports are as complete as possible.
[0011] Hence, in some broad embodiments, the target radio network
node may inform the wireless device explicitly whether QoE
measurement reporting is allowed. In some embodiments, if the
target radio network node does not indicate anything to the
wireless device, the wireless device may consider this as an
indication that QoE measurement reporting is not allowed/not
supported by the target radio network node. Consequently, the
wireless device may temporarily stop reporting after handover,
e.g., to save uplink resources.
[0012] In some embodiments, the target radio network node may also
inform the wireless device whether the target radio network node is
in the measurement area. This indication can be used by the
wireless device to know if new QoE measurements should be started
or not.
[0013] According to one aspect, some embodiments include a method
performed by a wireless device. The method generally comprises
performing Quality of Experience, QoE, measurements in a cell
served by a source radio network node; receiving a handover command
message from a target radio network node via the source radio
network node, the handover command message indicating to the
wireless device to handover to the target radio network node; and
determining whether to report the QoE measurements to the target
radio network node based, at least in part, on a presence or
absence of a QoE measurement reporting support indication in the
handover command message.
[0014] In some embodiments, determining whether to report the QoE
measurements further comprises determining to refrain from
reporting the QoE measurements if the QoE measurement reporting
support indication is absent from the handover command message.
[0015] In some embodiments, determining whether to report the QoE
measurements further comprises determining to refrain from
reporting the QoE measurements if the QoE measurement reporting
support indication is present in the handover command message and
indicates that QoE measurement reporting is not supported.
[0016] In some embodiments, determining whether to report the QoE
measurements further comprises determining to report the QoE
measurements if the QoE measurement reporting support indication is
present in the handover command message and indicates that QoE
measurement reporting is supported. In such embodiments, the method
may comprise, or further comprise sending a QoE measurement report
comprising the QoE measurements to the target radio network
node.
[0017] In some embodiments, the method may comprise, or further
comprise determining whether to start new QoE measurements in a
cell served by the target radio network node based, at least in
part, on a presence or absence of a QoE measurement area indication
in the handover command message.
[0018] In some embodiments, determining whether to start new QoE
measurements further comprises determining not to start QoE
measurements if the QoE measurement area indication is absent from
the handover command message.
[0019] In some embodiments, determining whether to start new QoE
measurements further comprises determining not to start QoE
measurements if the QoE measurement area indication is present in
the handover command message and indicates that the cell served by
the target radio network node is not in a measurement area
associated with the new QoE measurements.
[0020] In some embodiments, determining whether to start new QoE
measurements further comprises determining to start QoE
measurements if the QoE measurement area indication is present in
the handover command message and indicates that the cell served by
the target radio network node is in a measurement area associated
with the new QoE measurements.
[0021] In some embodiments, the method may comprise, or further
comprise, transmitting a handover confirmation message to the
target radio network node.
[0022] According to another aspect, some embodiments include a
wireless node adapted, configured, or otherwise operable, to
perform one or more wireless node functionalities (e.g. actions,
operations, steps, etc.) as described herein.
[0023] In some embodiments, the wireless node may comprise one or
more communication interfaces configured to communicate with one or
more radio network nodes, and processing circuitry operatively
connected to the communication interface, the processing circuitry
being configured to perform one or more wireless node
functionalities as described herein. In some embodiments, the
processing circuitry may comprise at least one processor and at
least one memory storing instructions which, upon being executed by
the processor, configure the at least one processor to perform one
or more wireless node functionalities as described herein.
[0024] In some embodiments, the wireless node may comprise one or
more functional modules configured to perform one or more wireless
node functionalities as described herein.
[0025] According to another aspect, some embodiments include a
computer program product comprising a non-transitory
computer-readable storage medium storing computer-readable program
instructions or code which, upon being executed by processing
circuitry (e.g., at least one processor) of the wireless node,
configure the processing circuitry to perform one or more wireless
node functionalities as described herein.
[0026] According to another aspect, some embodiments include a
method performed by a source radio network node. The method
generally comprises determining to perform a handover of a wireless
device from the source radio network node to a target radio network
node; transmitting a handover request message to the target radio
network node, the handover request message comprising an indication
that the wireless device has been configured for Quality of
Experience, QoE, measurements; receiving a handover request
acknowledgement message from the target radio network node, the
handover request acknowledgement message comprising a handover
command message; and forwarding the handover command message to the
wireless device.
[0027] In some embodiments, the handover request message may
further comprise QoE measurement configuration parameters.
[0028] In some embodiments, the QoE measurement configuration
parameters may comprise a list of one or more cells comprised in a
QoE measurement area associated with the QoE measurements.
[0029] In some embodiments, the handover command message may
comprise a QoE measurement reporting support indication indicating
whether the target radio network node supports QoE measurement
reporting.
[0030] In some embodiments, the handover command message may
comprise, or further comprise, a QoE measurement area indication
indicating whether a cell served by the target radio network node
is comprised in a measurement area associated with the QoE
measurements.
[0031] According to another aspect, some embodiments include a
method performed by a target radio network node. The method
generally comprises receiving a handover request message from a
source radio network node to handover a wireless device from the
source radio network node to the target radio network node, the
handover request message comprising an indication that the wireless
device has been configured for Quality of Experience, QoE,
measurements; and transmitting a handover request acknowledgement
message to the source radio network node, the handover request
acknowledgement message comprising a handover command message.
[0032] In some embodiments, the handover request message may
further comprise QoE measurement configuration parameters.
[0033] In some embodiments, the QoE measurement configuration
parameters may comprise a list of one or more cells comprised in a
QoE measurement area associated with the QoE measurements.
[0034] In some embodiments, the handover command message may
comprise a QoE measurement reporting support indication indicating
whether the target radio network node supports QoE measurement
reporting.
[0035] In some embodiments, the handover command message may
comprise, or further comprise, a QoE measurement area indication
indicating whether a cell served by the target radio network node
is comprised in a measurement area associated with the ongoing QoE
measurements.
[0036] In some embodiments, the method may comprise, or further
comprise, receiving a handover confirmation message from the
wireless device.
[0037] According to another aspect, some embodiments include a
radio network node adapted, configured, or otherwise operable, to
perform one or more radio network node functionalities (e.g.
actions, operations, steps, etc.) as described herein.
[0038] In some embodiments, the radio network node may comprise one
or more communication interfaces configured to communicate with one
or more wireless devices, with one or more other radio network
nodes, and/or with one or more network nodes, and processing
circuitry operatively connected to the communication interface, the
processing circuitry being configured to perform one or more radio
network node functionalities as described herein. In some
embodiments, the processing circuitry may comprise at least one
processor and at least one memory storing instructions which, upon
being executed by the processor, configure the at least one
processor to perform one or more radio network node functionalities
as described herein.
[0039] In some embodiments, the radio network node may comprise one
or more functional modules configured to perform one or more radio
network node functionalities as described herein.
[0040] According to another aspect, some embodiments include a
computer program product comprising a non-transitory
computer-readable storage medium storing computer-readable program
instructions or code which, upon being executed by processing
circuitry (e.g., at least one processor) of the radio network node,
configure the processing circuitry to perform one or more radio
network node functionalities as described herein.
[0041] Some embodiments may enable the saving of network resources.
Some embodiments may also allow the QoE measurement reports to be
complete in most cases.
[0042] Currently only QoE measurements for streaming services have
been included in the 3GPP specifications, but in later releases
other type of application layer measurements may be added. Thus,
while the present description and figures mostly describes
QoE-related measurements, the concept as such is valid for any type
of application layer measurements
[0043] This summary is not an extensive overview of all
contemplated embodiments and is not intended to identify key or
critical aspects or features of any or all embodiments or to
delineate the scope of any or all embodiments. In that sense, other
aspects and features will become apparent to those ordinarily
skilled in the art upon review of the following description of
specific embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying
figures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0044] Exemplary embodiments will be described in more detail with
reference to the following figures, in which:
[0045] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an example communication
network according to some embodiments.
[0046] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a handover of a wireless
device in a communication network according to some
embodiments.
[0047] FIG. 3 is a signaling diagram according to some
embodiments.
[0048] FIG. 4 is a flow chart of operations of a wireless device
according to some embodiments.
[0049] FIG. 5 is a flow chart of operations of a source radio
network node according to some embodiments.
[0050] FIG. 6 is a flow chart of operations of a target radio
network node according to some embodiments.
[0051] FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a wireless device according to
some embodiments.
[0052] FIG. 8 is another block diagram of a wireless device
according to some embodiments.
[0053] FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a radio network node according
to some embodiments.
[0054] FIG. 10 is another block diagram of a radio network node
according to some embodiments.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0055] The embodiments set forth below represent information to
enable those skilled in the art to practice the embodiments. Upon
reading the following description in light of the accompanying
figures, those skilled in the art will understand the concepts of
the description and will recognize applications of these concepts
not particularly addressed herein. It should be understood that
these concepts and applications fall within the scope of the
description.
[0056] In the following description, numerous specific details are
set forth. However, it is understood that embodiments may be
practiced without these specific details. In other instances,
well-known circuits, structures, and techniques have not been shown
in detail in order not to obscure the understanding of the
description. Those of ordinary skill in the art, with the included
description, will be able to implement appropriate functionality
without undue experimentation.
[0057] References in the specification to "one embodiment," "an
embodiment," "an example embodiment," etc., indicate that the
embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure,
or characteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarily include
the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover,
such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment.
Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is
described in connection with an embodiment, it is submitted that it
is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to implement such
feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other
embodiments whether or not explicitly described.
[0058] As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are
intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context
clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the
terms "comprises," "comprising," "includes," and/or "including"
when used herein, specify the presence of stated features,
integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do
not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other
features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or
groups thereof.
[0059] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a wireless network 100 that
may be used for wireless communications. Wireless network 100
includes wireless devices 110A-110B (collectively referred to as
wireless devices or WDs 110) and a plurality of radio network nodes
130A-130B (e.g., NBs and/or RNCs in UMTS, eNBs in LTE, gNBs in NR,
etc.) (collectively referred to as radio network node or radio
network nodes 130) directly or indirectly connected to a core
network 150 which may comprise a plurality of core network nodes
(e.g., SGSNs and/or GGSNs in UMTS, MMEs, SGWs, and/or PGWs in
LTE/EPC, AMFs, SMFs, and/or UPFs in NGC, etc.) (collectively
referred to as core network node or core network nodes). The
network 100 may use any suitable radio access network (RAN)
deployment scenarios, including UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access
Network, UTRAN, Evolved UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network,
E-UTRAN, and Next Generation Radio Access Network, NG-RAN. Wireless
devices 110 within coverage areas 115 may each be capable of
communicating directly with radio network nodes 130 over a wireless
interface. In certain embodiments, wireless devices may also be
capable of communicating with each other via device-to-device (D2D)
communication.
[0060] As an example, wireless device 110A may communicate with
radio network node 130A over a wireless interface. That is,
wireless device 110A may transmit wireless signals to and/or
receive wireless signals from radio network node 130A. The wireless
signals may contain voice traffic, data traffic, control signals,
and/or any other suitable information. In some embodiments, an area
of wireless signal coverage associated with a radio network node
130 may be referred to as a cell.
[0061] FIG. 2 illustrates a simplified scenario in which a handover
of a wireless device 110 can be performed. A handover of a wireless
device 110 from a source cell 115 served by a source radio network
node 130 to a target cell 115 served by a target radio network node
130 may occur, for instance, when the wireless device 110 moves
from the source cell 115 to the target cell 115.
[0062] As indicated above, when a wireless device 110 which has
been configured for QoE measurements (and is possibly performing
QoE measurements) is handed over to a target radio network node,
the target radio network node may not support QoE measurement
reporting. Hence, according to some embodiments, one solution is to
introduce, in the RRC message (an RRCConnectionReconfiguration
encapsulated in a HandoverCommand) from the target radio network
node an explicit indication, e.g. "QoE measurement reporting
allowed", "QoE measurement reporting supported", etc., to allow the
wireless device to report the QoE measurements after the handover.
An explicit indication of "QoE measurement reporting not allowed"
or "QoE measurement reporting not supported" can also be
introduced.
[0063] In some embodiments, if the target radio network node does
not indicate anything with respect to the QoE measurement
reporting, the wireless device 110 may infer that QoE measurement
reporting is not supported by the target radio network node and may
refrain from reporting QoE measurements after handover.
[0064] In the handover request message (e.g., an X2AP HANDOVER
REQUEST message) sent by the source radio network node, the
measurement area can also be forwarded from the source radio
network node to the target radio network node. The target radio
network node then knows if the target cell is in the measurement
area or not. The target radio network node may then also indicate
to the wireless device, in the handover command message, that the
cell served by the target radio network node is within the
measurement area. An explicit indication such as "QoE area
indication" or "QoE measurement area" could be used.
[0065] When the wireless device moves around in the network, there
are different scenarios that may occur. The wireless device can use
these two indications as follows: [0066] 1) The target radio
network node supports QoE measurement reporting and the new cell
(i.e., the target cell) is within the measurement area. [0067] 2)
The target radio network node supports QoE measurement reporting,
but the new cell is not within the measurement area. [0068] 3) The
target radio network node does not support QoE measurement
reporting.
[0069] In scenario 1), the QoE measurements should continue in the
cell served by the target radio network node. The source radio
network node sends the configuration information, e.g., the
specified area to the target radio network node. At handover, the
target radio network node builds the handover message which is sent
to the wireless device. The target radio network node can include
information in the message to the wireless device that QoE
measurement reporting is allowed and that the cell is within the
measurement area.
[0070] In scenario 2), the target radio network node supports QoE
measurement reporting, but the target cell is not within the
measurement area which means that preferably no new QoE
measurements should be started in that cell. However, it is
preferred that the ongoing QoE measurements be finished for the
ongoing session before being terminated to avoid an incomplete QoE
measurement report. Therefore, the target radio network node can,
in this case, include information to the wireless device in the
handover message that QoE measurement reporting is allowed, but
that the cell is not within the measurement area. The wireless
device may then finalize the QoE measurements of any ongoing
session and send the QoE measurement report, but after that not
start any new QoE measurements.
[0071] In scenario 3), if the target radio network node does not
support QoE measurement reporting, it is usually important that the
wireless device is informed about it, so that large measurement
reports, which cannot be understood by the target radio network
node, are not sent in the network and consume resources for no use.
It is usually impractical for the source radio network node to stop
or suspend the QoE measurements at handover as it is the target
radio network node that builds the RRC message that is sent to the
wireless device.
[0072] In some embodiments, the lack of indication that QoE
measurement reporting is allowed may implicitly inform the wireless
device that QoE measurement reports cannot be sent to the target
radio network node. The wireless device may still finalize the
ongoing QoE measurements and possibly send the QoE measurement
report later if it later reaches a radio network node which
supports QoE measurement reporting.
[0073] Further, to assist the target radio network node, during the
handover preparation, the source radio network node could inform
the target radio network node if the QoE measurement has been
configured for the concerned wireless device. For example, an
explicit indication could be introduced in the HANDOVER REQUEST
message in X2AP as shown in Table 1 below.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Example of an indication from source RAN to
inform that QoE measurements have been configured in X2AP HANDOVER
REQUEST message IE type and Semantics Assigned IE/Group Name
Presence Range reference description Criticality Criticality
Message Type M 9.2.13 YES reject Old eNB UE X2AP ID M eNB UE
Allocated at the YES reject X2AP ID source eNB 9.2.24 Cause M 9.2.6
YES ignore Target Cell ID M ECGI YES reject 9.2.14 GUMMEI M 9.2.16
YES reject UE Context Information 1 YES reject >MME UE S1AP ID M
INTEGER MME UE S1AP ID -- -- (0 . . . 2.sup.32 - 1) allocated at
the MME >UE Security Capabilities M 9.2.29 -- -- >AS Security
Information M 9.2.30 -- -- >UE Aggregate M 9.2.12 -- -- Maximum
Bit Rate Subscriber Profile ID for O 9.2.25 -- -- RAT/Freguency
priority >E-RABs To Be Setup 1 -- -- List >>E-RABs To Be
Setup 1 . . . EACH ignore Item <maxnoof Bearers>
>>>E-RAB ID M 9.2.23 -- -- >>>E-RAB Level QoS M
9.2.9 Includes -- -- Parameters necessary QoS parameters
>>>DL Forwarding O 9.2.5 -- -- >>>UL GTP Tunnel M
GTP SGW endpoint of -- -- Endpoint Tunnel the S1 transport Endpoint
bearer. For 9.2.1 delivery of UL PDUs. >>>Bearer Type O
9.2.92 YES reject >RRC Context M OCTET Includes the RRC -- --
STRING Handover Preparation Information message as defined in
subclause 10.2.2 of TS 36.331 [9] >Handover Restriction O 9.2.3
-- -- List >Location Reporting O 9.2.21 Includes the -- --
Information necessary parameters for location reporting
>Management Based O 9.2.59 YES ignore MDT Allowed >Management
Based O MDT PLMN YES ignore MDT PLMN List List 9.2.64 >UE
Sidelink Aggregate O 9.2.97 This IE applies YES Ignore Maximum Bit
Rate only if the UE is authorized for V2X services. UE History
Information M 9.2.38 Same definition YES ignore as in TS 36.413 [4]
Trace Activation O 9.2.2 YES ignore SRVCC Operation O 9.2.33 YES
ignore Possible CSG Membership Status O 9.2.52 YES reject Mobility
Information O BIT Information YES ignore STRING related to the
(SIZE (32)) handover; the source eNB provides it in order to enable
later analysis of the conditions that led to a wrong HO. Masked
IMEISV O 9.2.69 YES ignore UE History Information O OCTET
VisitedCellInfoList YES ignore from the UE STRING contained in the
UEInformationResponse message (TS 36.331 [9]) Expected UE Behaviour
O 9.2.70 YES ignore ProSe Authorized O 9.2.78 YES ignore UE Context
Reference at O YES ignore the SeNB >Global SeNB ID M Global eNB
ID 9.2.22 >SeNB UE X2AP ID M eNB UE Allocated at the X2AP ID
SeNB 9.2.24 >SeNB UE X2AP ID O Extended Allocated at the
Extension eNB UE SeNB X2AP ID 9.2.86 Old eNB UE X2AP ID O Extended
Allocated at the YES reject Extension eNB UE source eNB X2AP ID
9.2.86 V2X Services Authorized O 9.2.93 YES ignore UE Context
Reference at O YES ignore the WT >WT ID M 9.2.95 >WT UE XwAP
ID M 9.2.96 QoE measurement O ENUMERA Indicate that YES ignore
configured TED QoE (True, . . . ,) measurements have been
configured
[0074] Upon the reception of this information element, the target
radio network node may perform the action(s) as described above.
The source radio network node may also include some of the QoE
measurement configuration parameters, such as the scope of the QoE
measurement area (e.g. a choice of cell list/TA list/PLMN list
where the QoE measurement applies).
[0075] In Table 2, an example of indications in RRC message that
QoE measurement reporting is allowed and that the target cell is
within the measurement area is shown.
TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Example of indications in RRC message that
QoE measurement reporting is allowed and that the target cell is
within the measurement area. RRCConnectionReconfiguration-r15-IEs
::= SEQUENCE { qoE-ReportingAllowed-r15 QoE-reportingallowed-r15
OPTIONAL, -- Need ON qoE-MeasurementArea-r15
QoE-MeasurementArea-r15 OPTIONAL -- Need ON }
[0076] Referring to FIG. 3, a high-level signaling and operating
diagram according to some embodiments is illustrated. As shown, the
wireless device 110 has been configured for QoE measurements and
may be performing, or otherwise collecting, QoE measurements (e.g.,
for a streaming service) (action S102). The wireless device 110 may
be performing these QoE measurements after being configured to do
so, e.g., by the source radio network node 130.
[0077] At some point, possibly after having received a measurement
report (e.g., an RRC Measurement Report message) from the wireless
device 110, the source radio network node 130 determines or
otherwise decides to hand over the wireless device 110 to a target
radio network node 130 (action S104). In preparation of the
handover, the source radio network node 130 transmits a handover
request message (e.g., an X2AP Handover Request message) to the
target radio network node 130 (action S106). In some embodiments,
the handover request message may include an indication that QoE
measurements have been configured at the wireless device 110. For
example, the handover request message may include the "QoE
measurement configured" indication mentioned above in Table 1.
[0078] The target radio network node 130 responds to the handover
request of the source radio network node 130 by transmitting a
handover request acknowledgement message (e.g., an X2AP Handover
Request Acknowledgement message) to the source radio network node
(action S108). The handover request acknowledgement message
typically comprises or carries a handover command message that the
source radio network node 130 will transmit to the wireless device
110 (action S108). In some embodiments, the handover command
message may include an indication indicating whether QoE
measurement reporting is allowed or supported at the target radio
network node 130 (the "QoE measurement reporting support"
indication). In some embodiments, the handover command message may
also include an indication indicating whether the cell served by
the target radio network node is part of the measurement area
associated with the QoE measurements (the "QoE measurement area"
indication).
[0079] Upon receiving the handover request acknowledgement message
from the target radio network node 130, the source radio network
node 130 forwards the handover command message (e.g., an RRC
Handover Command message) to the wireless device 110 (action
S110).
[0080] Upon receiving the handover command message from the source
radio network node 130, the wireless device 110 determines whether
to report QoE measurements to the target radio network node 130
(action S112). As indicated above, if the target radio network node
130 does not support QoE measurement reporting, the wireless device
110 may refrain from reporting QoE measurements. If the target
radio network node 130 does support QoE measurement reporting, then
the wireless device 110 may report QoE measurements to the target
radio network node 130. If the target radio network node 130 does
support QoE measurement reporting, then the wireless device 110 may
also determine whether to start QoE measurements based, at least in
part, on whether a QoE measurement area indication, if present,
indicates that the cell served by the target radio network node is
in a measurement area associated with the QoE measurements.
[0081] Regardless of the decision of the wireless device 110
concerning the reporting of QoE measurements, the wireless device
110 typically transmits a handover confirmation message (e.g., an
RRC Connection Reconfiguration Complete message) to the target
radio network node 130 to trigger the completion of the handover
procedure (action S114).
[0082] FIG. 4 is a flow chart that illustrates operations of the
wireless device 110 according to some embodiments. Notably, the
wireless device 110 has typically been previously configured for
QoE measurements by a radio network node 130, such as, for
instance, the source radio network node 130. As illustrated, the
wireless device 110 may be performing QoE measurements (action
S202). At some point, the wireless device 110 receives a handover
command message from a target radio network node 130 via a source
radio network node 130 (e.g., the serving radio network node of the
wireless device 110) (action S204). Depending on the QoE
measurement reporting capabilities of the target radio network node
130, the handover command message may comprise one or more
QoE-measurement related indications. In some embodiments, the
handover command message may comprise a QoE measurement reporting
support indication indicating whether the target radio network node
130 supports QoE measurement reporting. In some embodiments, the
handover command message may also comprise a QoE measurement area
indication indicating whether the cell served by the target radio
network node 130 is part of the measurement area associated with
the QoE measurements. Subsequently, the wireless device 110
determines whether to report QoE measurements to the target radio
network node 130 and possibly to start new QoE measurements (action
S206). The determination may be based, on the presence, or absence,
of the QoE measurement reporting support indication and/or of the
QoE measurement area indication. As indicated above, different
scenarios are possible. Example embodiments of the behavior of the
wireless device 110 depending on the scenario have been described
above.
[0083] The wireless device 110 may also transmit a handover confirm
message to the target radio network node 130 to trigger the
completion of the handover procedure (action S208).
[0084] FIG. 5 is a flow chart that illustrates operations of the
source radio network node 130 according to some embodiments. As
illustrated, the source radio network node 130 determines or
otherwise decides to perform a handover of the wireless device 110
to a target radio network node 130 (action S302). Subsequently, the
source radio network node 130 transmits a handover request to the
target radio network node 130 (action S304). In some embodiments,
the handover request message may comprise an indication that QoE
measurements have been configured for the wireless device 110
(e.g., see Table 1 above). The handover request message may also
comprise QoE measurement configuration parameters such as a list of
one or more cells part of the QoE measurement area where QoE
measurements apply. The source radio network node 130 then receives
a handover request acknowledgement message from the target radio
network node 130 (action S306). The handover request
acknowledgement message typically comprises or carries a handover
command message which, as indicated above, may itself comprises one
or more QoE-measurement related indications (e.g., see Table 2).
For instance, the one or more QoE-measurement related indications
may include an indication indicating whether QoE measurement
reporting is supported at the target radio network node 130. The
one or more QoE-measurement related indications may also include an
indication indicating whether the cell served by the target radio
network node, that is the target cell, is part of the QoE
measurement area. Upon receiving the handover request
acknowledgement message from the target radio network node 130, the
source radio network node 130 forwards the handover command message
to the wireless device 110 (action S308).
[0085] FIG. 6 is a flow chart that illustrates operations of the
target radio network node 130 according to some embodiments. As
illustrated, the target radio network node 130 receives a handover
request message from a source radio network node 130 (action S402).
In some embodiments, the handover request message may comprise an
indication that QoE measurements have been configured at the
wireless device 110 (e.g., see Table 1 above). The handover request
message may also comprise QoE measurement configuration parameters
such as a list of one or more cells part of the QoE measurement
area where QoE measurements apply. The target radio network node
130 then transmits a handover request acknowledgement message to
the source radio network node 130. The handover request
acknowledgement message typically comprises or carries a handover
command message which, as indicated above, may itself comprises one
or more QoE-measurement related indications (see Table 2). The one
or more QoE-measurement related indications may include an
indication indicating whether QoE measurement reporting is
supported at the target radio network node 130 and may also include
an indication indicating whether the cell served by the target
radio network node, that is the target cell, is part of the QoE
measurement area
[0086] Though not shown in FIG. 6, the target radio network node
130 may further receive a handover confirmation message from the
wireless device concerned by the handover procedure.
[0087] It will be appreciated that the handover of a wireless
device from a source radio network node to a target radio network
node typically comprises additional signaling and operations which
have not be shown in the figures in order not to obscure the
figures. In that sense, for a wireless communication network
operating according to the LTE standards, more details about the
handover procedure and its related signaling and operations can be
found, for instance, in 3GPP TS 36.331, version 14.3.0, and in 3GPP
TS 36.423, version 14.3.0.
[0088] Some embodiments of a wireless device 110 will now be
described with respect to FIGS. 7 and 8. As used herein, a
"wireless device" is any type of device that has access to (i.e.,
may be served by) a wireless communication network by wirelessly
transmitting and/or receiving signals to one or more radio network
node(s). Notably, various communication standards sometimes use
different terminologies when referring to or describing wireless
devices. For instance, in addition to user equipment (UE), 3GPP
also uses mobile terminal (MT). For its part, 3GPP2 uses the
expression access terminal (AT) and IEEE 802.11 (also known as
WiFi.TM.) uses the term station (STA).
[0089] FIG. 7 is a block diagram of an exemplary wireless device
110 according to some embodiments. Wireless device 110 includes one
or more of a transceiver 112, processor 114, and memory 116. In
some embodiments, the transceiver 112 facilitates transmitting
wireless signals to and receiving wireless signals from radio
network node 130 (e.g., via transmitter(s) (Tx) 118, receiver(s)
(Rx) 120 and antenna(s) 122). The processor 114 executes
instructions to provide some or all of the functionalities
described above as being provided by wireless device 110, and the
memory 116 stores the instructions to be executed by the processor
114. In some embodiments, the processor 114 and the memory 116 form
processing circuitry 124.
[0090] The processor 114 may include any suitable combination of
hardware to execute instructions and manipulate data to perform
some or all of the described functions of wireless device 110, such
as the functions of wireless device 110 described above. In some
embodiments, the processor 114 may include, for example, one or
more computers, one or more central processing units (CPUs), one or
more microprocessors, one or more application specific integrated
circuits (ASICs), one or more field programmable gate arrays
(FPGAs) and/or other logic.
[0091] The memory 116 is generally operable to store instructions,
such as a computer program, software, an application including one
or more of logic, rules, algorithms, code, tables, etc. and/or
other instructions capable of being executed by a processor such as
processor 114. Examples of memory 116 include computer memory (for
example, Random Access Memory (RAM) or Read Only Memory (ROM)),
mass storage media (for example, a hard disk), removable storage
media (for example, a Compact Disk (CD) or a Digital Video Disk
(DVD)), and/or or any other volatile or non-volatile,
non-transitory computer-readable and/or computer-executable memory
devices that store information, data, and/or instructions that may
be used by the processor 114 of wireless device 110.
[0092] Other embodiments of wireless device 110 may include
additional components beyond those shown in FIG. 7 that may be
responsible for providing certain aspects of the wireless device's
functionalities, including any of the functionalities described
above and/or any additional functionalities (including any
functionality necessary to support the solution described above).
As just one example, wireless device 110 may include analog and/or
digital hardware 126 such as input devices and circuits and output
devices and circuits. Input devices include mechanisms for entry of
data into wireless device 110. For example, input devices may
include input mechanisms, such as a microphone, input elements, a
display, etc. Output devices may include mechanisms for outputting
data in audio, video and/or hard copy format. For example, output
devices may include a speaker, a display, etc.
[0093] FIG. 8 is a block diagram of another exemplary wireless
device 110 according to some embodiments. As illustrated, in some
embodiments, the wireless device 110 may comprise a series of
modules (or units) 128 configured to implement some or all of the
functionalities of the wireless device 110 described above. More
particularly, in some embodiments, the wireless device 110 may
comprise a performing module configured to perform QoE
measurements, a receiving module configured to receive a handover
command message from a source radio network node, and a determining
module configured to determine whether to report QoE
measurements.
[0094] It will be appreciated that the various modules 128 may be
implemented as combination of hardware and/or software, for
instance, the processor 114, memory 116 and transceiver(s) 112 of
wireless device 110 shown in FIG. 7. Some embodiments may also
include additional modules 128 to support additional and/or
optional functionalities.
[0095] Embodiments of a radio network node 130 will now be
described with respect to FIGS. 9 and 10. As used herein, a "radio
network node" is any node in a radio access network of a wireless
communication network that operates to wirelessly transmit and/or
receive signals. Notably, various communication standards sometimes
use different terminologies when referring to or describing radio
network nodes. For instance, in addition to base station, 3GPP also
uses Node B (NB), and evolved Node B (eNB). For its part, IEEE
802.11 (also known as WiFi.TM.) uses the term access point (AP).
Some examples of a radio network node include, but are not limited
to, a base station (e.g., a New Radio (NR) base station (gNB) in a
Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) Fifth Generation (5G)
NR network or an enhanced or evolved Node B (eNB) in a 3GPP Long
Term Evolution (LTE) network), a high-power or macro base station,
a low-power base station (e.g., a micro base station, a pico base
station, a home eNB, or the like), and a relay node.
[0096] FIG. 9 is a block diagram of an exemplary radio network node
130, according to certain embodiments. Radio network node 130 may
include one or more of a transceiver 132, a processor 134, a memory
136, and a communication interface 146. In some embodiments, the
transceiver 132 facilitates transmitting wireless signals to and
receiving wireless signals from UE 110 (e.g., via transmitter(s)
(Tx) 138, receiver(s) (Rx) 140, and antenna(s) 142). The processor
134 executes instructions to provide some or all of the
functionalities described above as being provided by a radio
network node 130, the memory 136 stores the instructions to be
executed by the processor 134. In some embodiments, the processor
134 and the memory 136 form processing circuitry 144. The
communication interface(s) 146 enable the radio network 130 to
communicate with other network nodes, including other radio network
nodes (via a radio access network interface) and core network nodes
(via a core network interface).
[0097] The processor 134 may include any suitable combination of
hardware to execute instructions and manipulate data to perform
some or all of the described functions of radio network node 130,
such as those described above. In some embodiments, the processor
134 may include, for example, one or more computers, one or more
central processing units (CPUs), one or more microprocessors, one
or more application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), one or
more field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) and/or other logic.
[0098] The memory 136 is generally operable to store instructions,
such as a computer program, software, an application including one
or more of logic, rules, algorithms, code, tables, etc. and/or
other instructions capable of being executed by a processor such as
processor 134. Examples of memory 136 include computer memory (for
example, Random Access Memory (RAM) or Read Only Memory (ROM)),
mass storage media (for example, a hard disk), removable storage
media (for example, a Compact Disk (CD) or a Digital Video Disk
(DVD)), and/or or any other volatile or non-volatile,
non-transitory computer-readable and/or computer-executable memory
devices that store information.
[0099] In some embodiments, the communication interface 146 is
communicatively coupled to the processor 134 and may refer to any
suitable device operable to receive input for radio network node
130, send output from radio network node 130, perform suitable
processing of the input or output or both, communicate to other
devices, or any combination of the preceding. The network interface
may include appropriate hardware (e.g., port, modem, network
interface card, etc.) and software, including protocol conversion
and data processing capabilities, to communicate through a
network.
[0100] Other embodiments of radio network node 130 may include
additional components beyond those shown in FIG. 9 that may be
responsible for providing certain aspects of the radio network
node's functionalities, including any of the functionalities
described above and/or any additional functionalities (including
any functionality necessary to support the solutions described
above). The various different types of network nodes may include
components having the same physical hardware but configured (e.g.,
via programming) to support different radio access technologies, or
may represent partly or entirely different physical components.
[0101] FIG. 10 is a block diagram of another exemplary radio
network node 130 according to some embodiments. As illustrated, the
radio network node 130 may comprise a series of modules (or units)
148 configured to implement the functionalities of the radio
network node 130 described above. Referring to FIG. 10, in some
embodiments, the radio network node 130 may comprise a determining
module configured to determine to perform a handover of a wireless
device to a target radio network node, a transmitting module
configured to transmit a handover request message to the target
radio network node, a receiving module configured to receive a
handover request acknowledgement message from the target radio
network node, the handover request acknowledgement message
comprising a handover command message, and a forwarding module
configured to forward the handover command message to a wireless
device. In some embodiments, the radio network node 130 may
additionally, or alternatively comprise a receiving module
configured to receive a handover request message from a source
radio network node, and a transmitting module configured to
transmit a handover request acknowledgement message to the source
radio network node, the handover request acknowledgement message
comprising a handover command message.
[0102] It will be appreciated that the various modules 148 may be
implemented as combination of hardware and/or software, for
instance, the processor 134, memory 136 and transceiver(s) 132 of
radio network node 130 shown in FIG. 9. Some embodiments may also
include additional modules 148 to support additional and/or
optional functionalities.
[0103] Some embodiments may be represented as a non-transitory
software product stored in a machine-readable medium (also referred
to as a computer-readable medium, a processor-readable medium, or a
computer usable medium having a computer readable program code
embodied therein). The machine-readable medium may be any suitable
tangible medium including a magnetic, optical, or electrical
storage medium including a diskette, compact disk read only memory
(CD-ROM), digital versatile disc read only memory (DVD-ROM) memory
device (volatile or non-volatile), or similar storage mechanism.
The machine-readable medium may contain various sets of
instructions, code sequences, configuration information, or other
data, which, when executed, cause a processor to perform steps in a
method according to one or more of the described embodiments. Those
of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that other
instructions and operations necessary to implement the described
embodiments may also be stored on the machine-readable medium.
Software running from the machine-readable medium may interface
with circuitry to perform the described tasks.
[0104] The above-described embodiments are intended to be examples
only. Alterations, modifications and variations may be effected to
the particular embodiments by those of skill in the art without
departing from the scope of the description.
Abbreviations
[0105] The present description may comprise one or more of the
following abbreviation:
[0106] 3GPP Third Generation Partnership Project
[0107] AMF Access Management Function
[0108] CN Core Network
[0109] D2D Device-to-Device
[0110] eNB E-UTRAN Node B
[0111] EPC Evolved Packet Core
[0112] E-UTRAN Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access
Network
[0113] GGSN Gateway GPRS Support Node
[0114] gNB gNode B (a Node B supporting NR and connectivity to
NGC)
[0115] HSPA High-Speed Packet Access
[0116] LTE Long Term Evolution
[0117] MDT Minimization of Drive Tests
[0118] MME Mobility Management Entity
[0119] NB Node B
[0120] NGC Next Generation Core
[0121] NR New Radio
[0122] PGW Packet Data Network Gateway
[0123] PS Packet Switched
[0124] QoE Quality of Experience
[0125] RAN Radio Access Network
[0126] RANAP Radio Access Network Application Part
[0127] RNC Radio Network Controller
[0128] RRC Radio Resource Control
[0129] SGSN Serving GPRS Support Node
[0130] SGW Serving Gateway
[0131] SMF Session Management Function
[0132] UE User Equipment
[0133] UMTS Universal Mobile Telecommunications System
[0134] UPF User Plane Function
[0135] UTRAN Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network
RELATED STANDARD DOCUMENTS
[0136] The following standard documents may be related to the
present description: [0137] 3GPP TS 36.331, version 14.3.0 [0138]
3GPP TS 36.423, version 14.3.0
* * * * *